FBI, DOJ warn against threatening election workers

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) -- With the November election now less than six months away, the Department of Justice is sending a clear warning.

"If you threaten to harm or kill an election worker…the Justice Department will find you and we will hold you accountable,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland.

After threats soared in 2020, Attorney General Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray are vowing to crackdown against threats this election cycle.

"Committed to vigorously investigating and pursuing violations of federal law and make sure all threats get to the right place,” said Wray.

Since the start of the DOJ’s task force on election threats three years ago, Garland says they've prosecuted more than a dozen people.

"We secured a three- and half-year sentence for a Massachusetts man for sending bomb threats to an election official,” said Garland.

A new survey by the Brennan Center for Justice found nearly 40% of election officials report experiencing threats of harassment or abuse.

"It's a totally different climate than what existed prior,” said Amber McReynolds of Issue One.

Amber McReynolds is the former Director of Election's for Denver Colorado, she now works with local election authorities across the nation.

"Every single one of them is concerned about security, false information, disinformation, they're concerned about funding,” said McReynolds.

She says while the DOJ’s actions are key, Congress must do its part to confront new challenges.

Although both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have rallied behind resources to help, legislation remains stalled.